Aching for this kind of camaraderie myself.
Once she’s done mopping up her husband, Sayla balls up the wet paper towel and takes out her phone. “I want tocheck the footage I got so far,” she says, “to see what else we need to capture on video.” When she opens her Photos app to play portions of the ceremony, Dex crowds in close to watch. Loren leans over, too. Me? I stay put.
I might even inch away a bit.
Just listening to Loren take her vows again sends an avalanche of stones through my stomach. And when Susan says, “You two good people belong to each other,” my whole torso tightens. Loren darts a glance at me, tugging her lip under her teeth, and I’ve never wanted to be a mind reader more.
I’ve also never been happier to see the marquee for Stony Peak High.
“Almost there,” Dex says, glancing out the window. At the intersection, he raps on the partition, and the driver lowers the glass. “Could you take the access road around the back of campus and park behind the theater?”
“Sure thing,” the driver says.
“You’ll see a bunch of scaffolding on two big buildings,” Dex says. “The one with the wall of windows leading to the cool new lobby is the gym. We’re going to the other place,” he snarks.
“Stop.” Sayla swats his leg. “You know you love the theater.”
He drops a kiss on her forehead. “Sorry, wife,” he says. “Old habits die hard, I guess.”
“What are we doing in the theater?” Loren asks. “Is it weird that I have no idea?”
“No, you were supposed to leave this part to us,” Dex says. “You two have enough on your plates.”
“The renovated theater looks pretty elegant inside,” Sayla says. “So we thought we’d stage a little reception scene. Take some quick videos. When I edit the clips into a reel withmusic, the whole thing should look pretty authentic for Margaret.”
I glance out the window. “So you’re staging a reception on an actual stage?”
Sayla laughs. “Too on the nose?”
“Subtlety isn’t our strong suit,” Dex smirks.
“No,” Loren says. “A bunch of quick clips sounds perfect.”
Right. Because nothing between us is actually real.
Noted.
As the limo pulls up and parks behind the gym and theater, I get a fresh glimpse of the nearly completed renovations. My donation helped fund all this. Donations that can continue now that Loren and I are married.
Worth it, Bridger. Worth it.
“You two wait here while we set up,” Dex says, making a move to hop out.
“I’m going to film you coming into the room for your first dance,” Sayla says. “Just like you’d do at a legitimate wedding reception.”
“I’ll text when we’re ready,” Dex says. “Sound good?”
“Yep,” I say. “Thanks.”
Loren nods, wordlessly. Then the rest of her body stills.
She remains motionless while Sayla and Dex collect boxes of reception supplies from the back of the limo. Once they disappear inside, she lets out a long breath, like she’s exhausted. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally.
Of course she is. All this pretending must take a toll on someone who’s inherently honest.
As her friend, I’d know exactly how to support her in a moment like this. I’d remind her she’s strong. And that I’m always here for her. This is a role I know well.
But as the man who’s now her legal husband, one who’s trying to keep a tight rein on his feelings, I’m on unsteady ground.